Artisans Revive Americas Palate for Hard Cider

America is experiencing a renewed interest and appreciation for cider. This once popular beverage seemed lost to generations and some of the heirloom apple varieties were also in danger of being lost. In the past few years homebrewers have generated a new interest in cider. Heirloom varieties of apples are being explored for their unique flavors. New orchards and cideries are growing in number across the United States.

In Colonial American hard cider was the most popular beverage. An average citizen in the late 1700s in Massachusetts consumed more than 35 gallons of cider annually. Every estate, farm and property had a few apple trees or an apple orchard. Cider was fermented for preservation and was useful as a beverage, as vinegar and other household uses.

Today homebrewers are exploring the apple varieties in their local area to create fine, fermented cider. Some of the ciders are very light and dry. These heirloom ciders are finding favor with a new generation of Americans. Cideries are educating customers about cider, its history and the many varieties of apples which give the cider its distinctive flavor. The varieties of apples chosen by the brewer can give the cider a complex flavor. Balancing the flavors of the apples used allows the artisans to create unusual and tasty blends. Many of the fine ciders resemble champagne to the delight of many new customers. Education on pairing ciders with foods is a growing facet of the cidery as well. Choosing a cider to serve with a particular meal or dessert is easier when advised.

Cideries and homebrewers delight in creating their beverage from apples grown either on their property or in their local area. Many heirloom apple varieties are known for their distinctive flavor and properties which the brewers blend so skillfully to create a distinctive cider.

You may need to search for a local cidery or you may just need to ask a few friends. A few cideries across the nation are: Albemarle Ciderworks, North Garden VA, Bellwether Hard Cider, Trumansburg, NY, Foggy Ridge Cider, Dugspur, VA, West County Cider, Colrain, MA, Uncle John's Cider Mill, St. Johns, MI and Wandering Aengus Ciderworks, Salem, OR.

Many commercial hard ciders are available. Many of the commercial products are made from concentrated apple juice. These ciders have an appeal all of their own ranging in variety and flavor from very light to dark amber with added spices in many varieties. Some of the popular commercial hard ciders are: Woodchuck, Woodpecker, Strongbow and Magners.

Resources:

"A Celebration of Heirloom Apples and Artisan Ciders", Mother Earth News, December2010/January 2011

"As American as Apple Cider", flavor magazine, Nov/Dec 2010